Recording apparatus

ABSTRACT

A recording apparatus includes a supporting portion that supports a sheet of paper transported and a recording head fixedly disposed at a position opposing the supporting portion, for recording. The recording head has nozzle rows for ejecting ink, and the nozzle rows are arranged side by side in the recording head in a direction intersecting a transport direction of the sheet. The supporting portion has a dumping portion including a position opposite the nozzle rows of the recording head, and the dumping portion is capable of receiving the ink ejected from the nozzle rows when the recording head performs flushing. The supporting portion has a supporting surface capable of supporting the sheet at a position not opposite the nozzle rows of the recording head. A slope inclining relative to the supporting surface is disposed in at least part of the boundary region between the dumping portion and the supporting surface.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-054961,filed Mar. 18, 2016 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to recording apparatuses such as, forexample, ink jet printers.

2. Related Art

There is known an ink jet printer, which is a type of recordingapparatus, having a head fixedly disposed at a position opposite asupporting portion that supports a sheet of paper, which is an exampleof a medium. The head has a plurality of nozzles that eject ink, whichis an example of liquid, to record on the sheet of paper transportedover the supporting portion. This type of printer is desired to perform“flushing” to discharge the ink inside the nozzles as needed in order tomaintain and recover ink ejecting properties of the nozzles in the head.JP-A-2004-9667 describes a printer that has a head including a pluralityof nozzle groups, each of which has a plurality of nozzles, and asupporting portion provided at a position opposite the head. In thesupporting portion, a sheet of paper is supported by a plurality ofprotrusions that are disposed at positions opposite the spacings betweenthe nozzle groups disposed in the head. This printer performs flushingby ejecting ink toward the regions on the supporting portion that areopposite the nozzle groups of the head, that is, the regions that areprovided between the protrusions on the supporting portion.

However, the printer described in JP-A-2004-9667 may not stably maintainthe position of the sheet transported over the supporting portionbecause the sheet is supported by the supporting portion only with theportions (the protrusions) opposite the spacings between the nozzlegroups provided in the head. A tilted or warped sheet on the supportingportion results in the deviation of landing positions on the sheet bythe ink ejected from the nozzles of the head. This may affect recordingquality.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that a recordingapparatus capable of securing flatness of a medium supported by asupporting portion that allows a recording head for ejecting liquid toperform flushing is provided.

Advantageous effects will be described. According to an aspect of theinvention, a recording apparatus includes a supporting portion thatsupports a medium transported and includes a recording head that isfixedly disposed at a position opposing the supporting portion andrecords by using liquid on the medium supported by the supportingportion. The recording head has a plurality of nozzle rows eachincluding a plurality of nozzles that eject the liquid, and theplurality of nozzle rows are arranged side by side in the recording headalong a width direction of the medium that intersects a transportdirection of the medium. The supporting portion has a dumping portionincluding a position opposite the nozzle rows of the recording head, andthe dumping portion is capable of receiving the liquid ejected from thenozzle rows when the recording head performs flushing. The supportingportion also has a supporting surface capable of supporting the mediumat a position not opposite the nozzle rows of the recording head. Thedumping portion has a slope disposed in at least part of a regionadjoining the supporting surface, and the slope is disposed incontinuity with the supporting surface and inclined upward toward thesupporting surface.

With this configuration, even when part of the medium transported overthe supporting surface of the supporting portion falls into the dumpingportion, the medium can be supported by the slope provided in thedumping portion. In other words, even the positions in the supportingportion that are opposite the nozzle rows of the recording head cancontribute to supporting of the medium. Thus, this configuration maystably obtain the flatness of the medium supported by the supportingportion that allows the recording head for ejecting liquid to performflushing.

In the recording apparatus, it is preferable that the supporting surfacebe configured to include an upper surface of a protrusion protrudingupward from the dumping portion and that the slope is provided at aposition on the upstream side of the protrusion in the transportdirection.

This configuration can reduce the likelihood of the front end of thetransported medium being caught by the protrusion.

In the recording apparatus, it is preferable that the slope be alsoprovided at a position on the downstream side of the protrusion in thetransport direction.

With this configuration, even when the rear end of the mediumtransported falls into the dumping portion, the medium can be supportedby the slope provided on the downstream side of the protrusion.

It is preferable that the recording apparatus further include acontainer for containing the liquid ejected from the nozzle rows whenthe recording head performs flushing. It is also preferable that thedumping portion has a through-hole for allowing the liquid to passthrough toward the container.

With this configuration, the container contains the liquid ejected ontothe dumping portion of the supporting portion, which allows therecording apparatus to be used continuously for a long time.

In the recording apparatus, it is preferable that the dumping portioninclude a groove for guiding the liquid ejected onto the slope to thecontainer.

This configuration can facilitate the collection of the liquid ejectedonto the slope.

In the recording apparatus, it is preferable that the groove be formedsuch that the width of the groove becomes smaller from the slope side ofthe groove toward the container side of the groove.

With this configuration, the capillary action of the grooves can furtherfacilitate the collection of the liquid ejected onto the slope.

In the recording apparatus, it is preferable that the slope have a slitdisposed at the upstream end of the slope in the transport direction. Itis also preferable that the slit open more narrowly than thethrough-hole and be in communication with the container.

This configuration can facilitate the collection of the liquid ejectedonto the slope.

In the recording apparatus, it is preferable that the recording headinclude a plurality of nozzle groups each having a plurality of thenozzle rows and the dumping portion is disposed separately at a positionopposite each of the nozzle groups.

With this configuration, the liquid ejected onto the dumping portionscan be collected via respective through-holes.

In the recording apparatus, it is preferable that the through-hole beprovided in the dumping portion at a center thereof both in thetransport direction and in the width direction.

With this configuration, liquid droplets or the like suspended in aircan be collected efficiently in a configuration, for example, in whichliquid is sucked by a pump or the like via the through-hole.

In the recording apparatus, it is preferable that the through-hole beprovided at a position closer to the upstream side in the dumpingportion in the transport direction and at the center of the dumpingportion in the width direction.

This configuration can reduce the likelihood of the medium being caughtby the dumping portion.

In the recording apparatus, it is preferable that at least the slopehave water repellency in the supporting portion.

With this configuration, the water repellency of the slope allows theliquid ejected onto the slope by the flushing to flow swiftly, which canreduce a likelihood of the medium being stained when the transportedmedium comes into contact with the slope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

FIG. 1 is a side view schematically illustrating a recording apparatusaccording to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of a recording head according to the firstembodiment and illustrates a nozzle arrangement.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a supporting portion accordingto the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the supporting portion according to the firstembodiment and illustrates a positional relationship between a dumpingportion and nozzle rows.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating the supporting portion according tothe first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VI-VI in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a supporting portion includedin a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating the supporting portion according tothe second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line IX-IX in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a supporting portion includedin a recording apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating the supporting portion according tothe third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XII-XII in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view illustrating a recording head included ina recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a supporting portionaccording to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a plan view illustrating the supporting portion according tothe fourth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view illustrating a recording head included ina recording apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a supporting portionaccording to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a plan view illustrating the supporting portion according tothe fifth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a supporting portion includedin a recording apparatus according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a plan view illustrating the supporting portion according tothe sixth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XXI-XXI in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating a supporting portion includedin a recording apparatus according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a plan view illustrating the supporting portion according tothe seventh embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating a supporting portion includedin a recording apparatus according to an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a plan view illustrating the supporting portion according tothe eighth embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view illustrating a supporting portion includedin a recording apparatus according to a ninth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a plan view illustrating the supporting portion according tothe ninth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XXVIII-XXVIII inFIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view illustrating a supporting portion includedin a recording apparatus according to a tenth embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a plan view illustrating the supporting portion according tothe tenth embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view illustrating a supporting portion includedin a recording apparatus according to an eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a plan view illustrating the supporting portion according tothe eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view illustrating a modified example of thesupporting portion according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a plan view illustrating the modified example of thesupporting portion according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view illustrating a modified example of thesupporting portion according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a plan view illustrating the modified example of thesupporting portion according to the fifth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

As a type of the recording apparatus according to the invention, an inkjet printer that records on a medium by using ink, which is an exampleof a liquid, will be described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a recording apparatus 11 according to a firstembodiment of the invention includes a paper cassette 20 capable ofstoring stacked sheets of paper P (otherwise referred to as “sheets P”),which is an example of a medium, a transport section 30 for transportingeach sheet P contained in the paper cassette 20, a supporting portion 60for supporting the sheet P transported by the transport section 30 fromunderneath the sheet P, and a recording head 40 for recording on thesheet P supported by the supporting portion 60. Note that a direction inwhich the sheet P is transported over the supporting portion 60 (i.e., adirection from the right side toward the left side of FIG. 1) ishereinafter referred to as the transport direction Y of the sheet P, anda direction intersecting the transport direction Y is referred to as thewidth direction X of the sheet P.

The transport section 30 includes a pickup roller 31 for sending outeach sheet P that is located at the top-most position within the papercassette 20, a pair of transport rollers 32 for transporting the sheet Psent out by the pickup roller 31 toward the supporting portion 60, and apair of discharge rollers 33 for discharging the sheet P passing overthe supporting portion 60. In other words, the pair of transport rollers32 are provided on the upstream side of the supporting portion 60 in thetransport direction Y and the pair of discharge rollers 33 are providedon the downstream side of the supporting portion 60. The transportsection 30 further includes a guide 34 and a pair of intermediaterollers 35 provided at positions between the pickup roller 31 and thepair of transport rollers 32 in the transport path on which the sheet Pis transported (the path indicated by the chain-dotted line in FIG. 1).In other words, the guide 34 guides the sheet P sent out by the pickuproller 31 toward the pair of intermediate rollers 35, and the pair ofintermediate rollers 35 transport the sheet P having been guided by theguide 34 toward the pair of transport rollers 32.

The pair of transport rollers 32 for transporting the sheet P include adriving roller 37 that is rotated by a motor 36 about the rotation axisdirected along a width direction X and a driven roller 38 that isrotated by following the rotation of the driving roller 37 about therotation axis directed along a width direction X. While transporting thesheet P, the driving roller 37 comes into contact with the bottom sideof the sheet P and the driven roller 38 comes into contact with the topside of the sheet P. In other words, the pair of transport rollers 32transport the sheet P in such a manner that the driving roller 37 andthe driven roller 38 rotate with the sheet P pinched verticallytherebetween. Note that the pair of discharge rollers 33 and the pair ofintermediate rollers 35 have similar configurations.

The supporting portion 60 is shaped like a plate and has an uppersurface opposing the recording head 40, and the upper surface forms asupporting surface 61 for coming into contact with and therebysupporting the sheet P. The supporting portion 60 also has a dumpingportion 62 capable of receiving ink ejected from the recording head 40.Note that the dumping portion 62 according to the present embodimentincludes through-holes 63 passing through the supporting portion 60 in avertical direction. A container 50 for containing the ink that isejected onto the dumping portion 62 is provided below the supportingportion 60. The container 50 has an opening 51 in an upper part thereof,and the opening 51 is in communication with the through-holes 63 thatare included in the dumping portion 62 of the supporting portion 60. Thecontainer 50 also has a containing chamber 52 capable of containing theink that has passed through the opening 51. The containing chamber 52has an ink absorbent material (not shown) such as a sponge. Thecontainer 50 further includes a fan 53 for drawing ink droplets or thelike suspended in air into the containing chamber 52 through the opening51. Note that when the sheet P is transported over the supportingportion 60, this fan 53 draws the sheet P via the dumping portion 62,which enables stable transportation of the sheet P.

A recording head 40 is fixedly disposed at a position above and oppositethe supporting portion 60. The recording head 40 has a plurality ofnozzles 42 disposed on an ejection surface 41 that is the bottom surfaceof the recording head 40. The nozzles 42 eject ink to record on thesheet P. Note that this recording head 40 is configured as a long headcalled a “line head” that can eject ink approximately simultaneouslyover the length of the sheet P in the width direction X. The recordinghead 40 according to the present embodiment appropriately performs“flushing”, that is, an action of ejecting ink strongly from the nozzles42, for the purpose of avoiding an increase in ink viscosity or inkadhesion inside the nozzles 42 due to drying. The ink ejectingproperties of the nozzles in the recording head 40 are maintained orrecovered by the flushing. Thus, the nozzles 42 of the recording head 40eject ink onto the dumping portion 62 by the flushing, and the dumpingportion 62 disposed in the supporting portion 60 allows the ink to passthrough the supporting portion 60 and to be directed toward thecontainer 50.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of nozzle rows 43 each including aplurality of nozzles 42 are provided on the ejection surface 41 of therecording head 40. The nozzle rows 43, each of which is formed of aplurality of nozzles 42 arranged side by side in the width direction X,are disposed such that adjacent nozzle rows 43 are parallel to eachother on the ejection surface 41. In addition, the nozzle rows 43 aregrouped into four queues in the transport direction Y, and the queuesare arranged with a predetermined spacing between each other in thewidth direction X. In other words, the nozzle rows 43 disposed on theejection surface 41 of the recording head 40 are arranged in a staggeredmanner along the width direction X. Moreover, when the ejection surface41 is viewed in the transport direction Y, the adjacent nozzle rows 43in the width direction X are arranged such that a portion of each oneoverlaps that of the adjacent one. In other words, when the ejectionsurface 41 is viewed in the transport direction Y, the nozzles 42 looklike a continuous line without gaps in the width direction X.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the supporting portion 60 isconfigured to extend over the length of the sheet P in the widthdirection X. The dumping portion 62 disposed in the supporting portion60 is provided to include positions opposite the nozzle rows 43 of therecording head 40. In addition, the dumping portion 62 according to thepresent embodiment is provided in such a manner that the dumping portion62 connects with each other the positions on the supporting portion 60opposite the respective nozzle rows 43. In other words, the dumpingportion 62, which is disposed in a central part of the supportingportion 60 in the transport direction Y, extends along the widthdirection X in a staggered manner similar to the staggered arrangementof the nozzle rows 43 disposed on the ejection surface 41 of therecording head 40. The ink ejected from the nozzles 42 by the flushingpasses through the through-holes 63 included in the dumping portion 62,and is received in the container 50. In addition, the supporting surface61 for supporting the sheet P is provided at positions on the uppersurface of the supporting portion 60 where the dumping portion 62 is notprovided, that is, where the nozzle rows 43 of the recording head 40 donot oppose. Note that the supporting surface 61 is a flat and levelsurface.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the dumping portion 62 of thepresent embodiment is configured to include the through-holes 63 andslopes 64. The slopes 64 incline relative to the supporting surface 61.Each slope 64 is formed in continuity with the supporting surface 61 andis inclined upward from the upstream side toward the downstream side inthe transport direction Y. In other words, the slope 64 is inclinedupward toward the supporting surface 61. In addition, a plurality ofgrooves 65 are formed in the slopes 64 at positions adjacent to thethrough-holes 63. The grooves 65 extend in a vertical directionsimilarly to the through-holes 63. Each groove 65 is formed such thatthe width of the groove 65 becomes smaller as it goes down through thesupporting portion 60 from the slope 64. The ink ejected onto the slopes64, which is a portion of the ink ejected onto the dumping portion 62from the recording head 40 by the flushing, flows along the slopes 64into the through-holes 63 or the grooves 65, passes through thethrough-holes 63 or the grooves 65, and is received in the container 50.Note that at least slopes 64 have water repellency in the supportingportion 60. In order to provide the slopes 64 with water repellency, theslopes 64 may be configured, for example, to include a material havingan excellent water-repellency, such as a fluorine-based resin, or to becoated with a fluorine-based material.

Next, the operation of the recording apparatus 11 of the firstembodiment configured as described above will be described. Asillustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the supporting portion 60 of the firstembodiment has the dumping portion 62 provided to include the positionsopposite the nozzle rows 43 of the recording head 40, and also has thesupporting surface 61 for supporting a sheet P at the other positions.Here, when a sheet P is transported over the supporting portion 60, anend of the sheet P may be positioned above the dumping portion 62 duringtransportation. In such a case, the end of the sheet P often falls intothe dumping portion 62, which may cause the sheet P supported by thesupporting portion 60 to be tilted or warped and to lose balance.

The supporting portion 60 according to the present embodiment, however,has the slopes 64 provided in the dumping portion 62, and the slopes 64can support the end of the sheet P located above the dumping portion 62.In other words, in the supporting portion 60, not only the supportingsurface 61 but also the slopes 64 that are part of the dumping portion62 contribute to the supporting of the sheet P. This configuration makesit easier to maintain stable positioning of the sheet P. In other words,as compared with a supporting portion 60 that does not have the slopes64, the supporting portion 60 in the present embodiment can provide moreregions contributing to the supporting of the sheet P. Thus, thisconfiguration makes it easier to secure flatness of the sheet P. Notethat when ink is ejected onto the slopes 64 during the flushing, the inkdoes not readily stay on the slopes 64 because the slopes 64 have waterrepellency. This means that when the slopes 64 support the sheet P,there is a lower likelihood of the sheet P becoming stained.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects can beobtained:

(1) Even when part of the sheet P transported over the supportingsurface 61 of the supporting portion 60 falls into the dumping portion62, the sheet P can be supported by the slopes 64 provided in thedumping portion 62. In other words, even the portions in the supportingportion 60 that are opposite the nozzle rows 43 of the recording head 40can contribute to the supporting of the sheet P. Thus, this makes itpossible to stably obtain the flatness of the sheet P supported by thesupporting portion 60 that allows the recording head 40 for ejecting inkto perform flushing.(2) The container 50 contains the ink ejected onto the dumping portion62 of the supporting portion 60, which allows the recording apparatus 11to be used continuously for a long time.(3) The grooves 65 can facilitate the collection of the ink ejected ontothe slopes 64.(4) The capillary action of the grooves 65 can further facilitate thecollection of the ink ejected onto the slopes 64.(5) The water repellency of the slopes 64 allows the ink ejected ontothe slopes 64 by the flushing to flow swiftly, which can lower thelikelihood of the sheet P being stained when the transported sheet Ptouches the slopes 64.

Second Embodiment

Next, a recording apparatus 11 according to a second embodiment will bedescribed. In the recording apparatus 11 according to the secondembodiment, the configuration of the supporting portion 60 forsupporting the sheet P is different from that of the first embodimentwhile other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.Thus, no further description is provided for the portion having thesimilar configuration.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, the supporting portion 60 of thesecond embodiment has slits 66 as part of the dumping portion 62. Eachslit 66 has an opening of which the width in the transport direction Yis smaller than that of the through-hole 63. In FIG. 8, through-holes 63are formed at the lowest end of each slope 64 at two positions along thewidth direction X. This slit 66 is provided at a position next to athrough-hole 63 and on the upstream side of a slope 64 in the transportdirection Y. The slit 66 passes through the supporting portion 60 in avertical direction similarly to the through-hole 63. Thus, the inkejected onto the slopes 64 flows along the slopes 64 into thethrough-holes 63 or the slits 66, passes through the through-holes 63 orthe slits 66, and is received in the container 50. The slits 66 as wellas the through-holes 63 allow ink to be directed to the container 50,and thus this configuration further facilitates the collection of theink.

According to the second embodiment, the following effect can be obtainedin addition to the effects of (1), (2), and (5):

(6) Providing the slits 66 in addition to the through-holes 63 canfurther facilitate the collection of the ink ejected onto the slopes 64.

Third Embodiment

Next, a recording apparatus 11 according to a third embodiment will bedescribed. In the recording apparatus 11 according to the thirdembodiment, the configuration of the supporting portion 60 forsupporting the sheet P is different from that of the first embodimentwhile other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.Thus, no further description is provided for the portion having thesimilar configuration.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, the supporting portion 60according to the third embodiment has separate dumping portions 62 atpositions opposite respective nozzle rows 43 of the recording head 40.In other words, the supporting portion 60 has the same number of dumpingportions 62 as that of the nozzle rows 43 included in the recording head40. Each dumping portion 62 has a slope 64 inclined upward from theupstream side toward the downstream side in the transport direction Y.Each dumping portion 62 also has a through-hole 63 passing through thesupporting portion 60 in a vertical direction. Note that thethrough-hole 63 has a slit-like opening in this case. This through-hole63 is provided on the upstream side of the slope 64. Thus, the inkejected onto the slopes 64 flows along the slopes 64 into thethrough-holes 63, passes through the through-holes 63, and is receivedin the container 50. Note that providing separate dumping portions 62allows the supporting surface 61 to have a larger area.

According to the third embodiment, the following effect can be obtainedin addition to the effects of (1), (2), and (5):

(7) The ink ejected onto the dumping portions 62 can be collected viarespective through-holes 63.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a recording apparatus 11 according to a fourth embodiment will bedescribed. In the recording apparatus 11 according to the fourthembodiment, the configurations of the supporting portion 60 forsupporting the sheet P and the recording head 40 for recording on thesheet P are different from those of the first embodiment while otherconfigurations are similar to those of the first embodiment. Thus, nofurther description is provided for the portion having the similarconfiguration.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the recording head 40 of the fourthembodiment has a plurality of nozzle groups 44 provided on the ejectionsurface 41, and each nozzle group 44 is formed of a plurality of nozzlerows 43 each extending in the width direction X. Each of the nozzlegroups 44 is formed of four nozzle rows 43 arrayed in the transportdirection Y. In addition, the nozzle rows 43 that form one nozzle group44 have different lengths in the width direction X such that one nozzlegroup 44 forms a trapezoidal shape. The nozzle groups 44, each of whichforms a trapezoidal shape, are arranged on the ejection surface 41 alongthe width direction X in such a manner that the trapezoids arealternately oriented in opposite directions.

As illustrated in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the supporting portion 60opposing the recording head 40 has separate dumping portions 62 atpositions opposite respective nozzle groups 44 formed of the nozzle rows43. In other words, the supporting portion 60 has the same number ofdumping portions 62 as that of the nozzle groups 44 included in therecording head 40. Each dumping portion 62 has an opening 67 at an upperpart of the supporting portion 60 and also has a through-hole 63 passingthrough the supporting portion 60 in a vertical direction from theopening 67. Note that this opening 67 is trapezoidally shaped inaccordance with the shape of each nozzle group 44.

In addition, the through-hole 63 is formed at the center of the opening67, that is, at the center both in the transport direction Y and in thewidth direction X. This dumping portion 62 is provided such that theopening 67 and the through-hole 63 form a funnel. In other words, theink ejected onto this dumping portion 62 from the recording head 40flows along the inner surface of the opening 67 into the through-hole63, passes through the through-hole 63, and is received in the container50.

The inner surface of the opening 67 is formed of four surfaces eachinclined toward the through-hole. In other words, the opening 67includes a slope 64 inclined upward from the upstream side toward thedownstream side in the transport direction Y. The supporting surface 61for supporting the sheet P is provided on the supporting portion 60 atpositions not opposite the nozzle groups 44, for example, provided atpositions opposite the spacings between the nozzle groups 44.

According to the fourth embodiment, the following effect can be obtainedin addition to the effects of (1), (2), (5), and (7):

(8) Ink droplets and the like suspended in air can be collectedefficiently in a configuration, for example, in which ink is suckedthrough the through-holes 63 by a pump or the like.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, a recording apparatus 11 according to a fifth embodiment will bedescribed. In the recording apparatus 11 according to the fifthembodiment, the configurations of the supporting portion 60 forsupporting the sheet P and the recording head 40 for recording on thesheet P are different from those of the fourth embodiment while otherconfigurations are similar to those of the fourth embodiment. Thus, nofurther description is provided for the portion having the similarconfiguration.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, the ejection surface 41 of the recording head40 according to the fifth embodiment has a plurality of nozzle rows 43each extending in a direction intersecting both the width direction Xand the transport direction Y (i.e., extending in an oblique direction).These nozzle rows 43 are arranged parallel to each other with apredetermined spacing therebetween in the width direction X. Inaddition, the plurality of nozzle rows 43 form a plurality of nozzlegroups 44 on the ejection surface 41. Each nozzle group 44 includes fournozzle rows 43 arrayed in the width direction X. In other words, thenozzle groups 44 are arranged side by side on the ejection surface 41along the width direction X.

As illustrated in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the supporting portion 60opposing this recording head 40 has separate dumping portions 62 atpositions opposite respective nozzle groups 44 formed of the nozzle rows43. In other words, the supporting portion 60 has the same number ofdumping portions 62 as that of the nozzle groups 44 included in therecording head 40. Each dumping portion 62 has an opening 67 at an upperpart of the supporting portion 60 and also has a through-hole 63 passingthrough the supporting portion 60 in a vertical direction from theopening 67. Note that this opening 67 is shaped in accordance with theshape of each nozzle group 44. The ink ejected onto this dumping portion62 from the recording head 40 flows along the inner surface of theopening 67 into the through-holes 63, passes through the through-holes63, and is received in the container 50. Note that the inner surface ofthe opening 67 is formed of four surfaces each inclined upward from thethrough-hole 63 toward the supporting surface 61. In other words, theopening 67 has a slope 64 inclined upward from the upstream side towardthe downstream side in the transport direction Y.

According to the fifth embodiment, the effects of (1), (2), (5), (7),and (8) can be obtained.

Sixth Embodiment

Next, a recording apparatus 11 according to a sixth embodiment will bedescribed. In the recording apparatus 11 according to the sixthembodiment, the configuration of the supporting portion 60 forsupporting the sheet P is different from that of the first embodimentwhile other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.Thus, no further description is provided for the portion having thesimilar configuration.

As illustrated in FIGS. 19, 20, and 21, the supporting portion 60 of thesixth embodiment has a thin-plate base 68. This base 68 has a pluralityof ribs (protrusions) 70 protruding upward from the upper surface 69 ofthe base 68, and the upper surfaces of the ribs 70 support the sheet P.In the supporting portion 60, these ribs 70 are arranged in rows in thewidth direction X with a predetermined spacing therebetween, and thearranged ribs 70 are also arranged in rows in the transport direction Y.In a rib 70, a slope 64 is provided on the upstream side of the rib 70in the transport direction Y. The slope 64 continues to the uppersurface of the rib 70 and inclines from the upper surface of the rib 70toward the upper surface 69 of the base 68. In other words, this slope64 inclines upward from the upstream side toward the downstream side inthe transport direction Y.

This supporting portion 60 includes supporting surfaces 61 forsupporting the sheet P and a dumping portion 62 that can receive the inkejected from the nozzles 42 of the recording head 40 during theflushing. In other words, in the supporting portion 60 of the sixthembodiment, the upper surface of each rib 70 serves as the supportingsurfaces 61, and the slopes 64 of the ribs 70 and the upper surface 69of the base 68 serve as the dumping portion 62. Note that eachsupporting surface 61 is provided at such a height that the supportingsurfaces 61 form a level plane. When the recording head 40 performsflushing, ink is ejected onto the upper surface 69 of the base 68 andthe slopes 64. The ink ejected onto the slopes 64 flows along the slopes64 to the upper surface 69 of the base 68 and then flows from the uppersurface 69 of the base 68 into the container 50. Thus, the ink isreceived in the container 50. Note that a chamfer portion 71, which isformed by chamfering off the edges of ribs 70, is provided in thesupporting portion 60 at the upper edge thereof on the upstream side inthe transport direction Y. This chamfer portion 71 reduces thelikelihood of the front end of the sheet P transported along thetransport path being caught by the supporting portion 60.

According to the sixth embodiment, the following effect can be obtainedin addition to the effects of (1), (2), and (5):

(9) Providing the slope 64 on the upstream side of the rib 70 in thetransport direction Y can reduce the likelihood of the front end of thetransported sheet P being caught by the rib 70.

Seventh Embodiment

Next, a recording apparatus 11 according to a seventh embodiment will bedescribed. In the recording apparatus 11 according to the seventhembodiment, the configuration of the supporting portion 60 forsupporting the sheet P is different from that of the sixth embodimentwhile other configurations are similar to those of the sixth embodiment.Thus, no further description is provided for the portion having thesimilar configuration.

As illustrated in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, the supporting portion 60 of theseventh embodiment has a plurality of ribs 70 disposed on the uppersurface 69 of the base 68. Each of the plurality of ribs 70 extends in adirection intersecting both the width direction X and the transportdirection Y of the sheet P (i.e., in an oblique direction). Theplurality of the ribs 70 are arranged in the width direction X on theupper surface 69 of the base 68 in such a manner that the ribs 70alternately extend in different directions. Each rib 70 has a supportingsurface 61 for supporting the sheet P and a slope 64 inclined toward theupper surface 69 of the base 68 from the supporting surface 61, that is,the upper surface of the rib 70.

When the center line of the rib 70 is taken along the direction of theobliquely-extending rib 70, the slope 64 is provided on the side of therib 70 that faces upstream in the transport direction Y with respect tothe center line. The slope 64 inclines upward from the upper surface 69of the base 68 toward the supporting surface 61 and also from theupstream side toward the downstream side in the transport direction Y.In other words, the slope 64 is provided on the upstream side of the rib(protrusion) 70 in the transport direction Y. In addition, a chamferportion 71, which is formed by chamfering off the edges of ribs 70, isprovided in the supporting portion 60 at the upper edge thereof on theupstream side in the transport direction Y.

According to the seventh embodiment, the effects of (1), (2), (5), and(9) can be obtained.

Eighth Embodiment

Next, a recording apparatus 11 according to an eighth embodiment will bedescribed. In the recording apparatus 11 according to the eighthembodiment, the configuration of the supporting portion 60 forsupporting the sheet P is different from that of the seventh embodimentwhile other configurations are similar to those of the seventhembodiment. Thus, no further description is provided for the portionhaving the similar configuration.

As illustrated in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25, the supporting portion 60 of theeighth embodiment has a plurality of ribs 70 disposed on the uppersurface 69 of the base 68. Each of the plurality of ribs 70 extends in adirection intersecting both the width direction X and the transportdirection Y of the sheet P (i.e., in an oblique direction). Theplurality of the ribs 70 are arranged side by side in the widthdirection X on the upper surface 69 of the base 68 in such a manner thatthe ribs 70 extend parallel to each other. Each rib 70 has a supportingsurface 61 for supporting the sheet of paper P and a slope 64 inclinedtoward the upper surface 69 of the base 68 from the supporting surface61, that is, the upper surface of the rib 70. When the center line ofthe rib 70 is taken along the direction of the obliquely-extending rib70, the slope 64 is provided on the side of the rib 70 that facesupstream in the transport direction Y with respect to the center line.The slope 64 inclines upward from the upper surface 69 of the base 68toward the supporting surface 61 of the rib 70 along the transportdirection Y. In other words, the slope 64 is provided on the upstreamside of the rib (protrusion) 70 in the transport direction Y.

According to the eighth embodiment, the effects of (1), (2), (5), and(9) can be obtained.

Ninth Embodiment

Next, a recording apparatus 11 according to a ninth embodiment will bedescribed. In the recording apparatus 11 according to the ninthembodiment, the configuration of the supporting portion 60 forsupporting the sheet P is different from that of the sixth embodimentwhile other configurations are similar to those of the sixth embodiment.Thus, no further description is provided for the portion having thesimilar configuration.

As illustrated in FIGS. 26, 27, and 28, the supporting portion 60 of theninth embodiment has a thin-plate base 68. This base 68 has a pluralityof ribs (protrusion) 70 protruding upward from the upper surface 69 ofthe base 68. The support surfaces 61, which are the upper surfaces ofthe ribs 70, support the sheet P. Each rib 70 has slopes 64 disposedboth on the upstream side and the downstream side in the transportdirection Y. Each slope 64 inclines from the supporting surface 61toward the upper surface 69 of the base 68. In other words, the slope 64disposed on the upstream side of the rib 70 in the transport direction Yinclines upward from the upstream side toward the downstream side whilethe slope 64 disposed on the downstream side of the rib 70 inclinesdownward from the upstream side toward the downstream side. Note thateach of these slopes 64 is part of the dumping portion 62.

According to the ninth embodiment, the following effect can be obtainedin addition to the effects of (1), (2), (5), and (9):

(10) Even when the rear end of the transported sheet P falls into thedumping portion 62, the sheet P can be supported by the slope 64provided on the downstream side of the rib 70.

Tenth Embodiment

Next, a recording apparatus 11 according to a tenth embodiment will bedescribed. In the recording apparatus 11 according to the tenthembodiment, the configuration of the supporting portion 60 forsupporting the sheet P is different from that of the seventh embodimentwhile other configurations are similar to those of the seventhembodiment. Thus, no further description is provided for the portionhaving the similar configuration.

As illustrated in FIG. 29 and FIG. 30, the supporting portion 60 of thetenth embodiment has a plurality of ribs 70 disposed on the uppersurface 69 of the base 68. Each of the plurality of ribs 70 extends in adirection intersecting both the width direction X and the transportdirection Y of the sheet P (i.e., in an oblique direction). Theplurality of the ribs 70 are arranged in the width direction X on theupper surface 69 of the base 68 in such a manner that the ribs 70alternately extend in different directions. Each rib 70 has a supportingsurface 61 for supporting the sheet P and slopes 64 inclined toward theupper surface 69 of the base 68 from the supporting surface 61, that is,the upper surface of the rib 70.

When the center line of the rib 70 is taken along the direction of theobliquely-extending rib 70, the slope 64 is provided on the side facingupstream and also on the side facing downstream in the transportdirection Y with respect to the center line. In other words, the slope64 is provided both on the upstream side and on the downstream side ofthe rib 70 in the transport direction Y. The slope 64 disposed on theupstream side of the rib 70 in the transport direction Y inclines upwardfrom the upstream side toward the downstream side while the slope 64disposed on the downstream side of the rib 70 inclines downward from theupstream side toward the downstream side. A chamfer portion 71, which isformed by chamfering off the edges of ribs 70, is provided in thesupporting portion 60 at the upper edge thereof on the upstream side inthe transport direction Y.

According to the tenth embodiment, the effects of (1), (2), (5), (9),and (10) can be obtained.

Eleventh Embodiment

Next, a recording apparatus 11 according to an eleventh embodiment willbe described. In the recording apparatus 11 according to the eleventhembodiment, the configuration of the supporting portion 60 forsupporting the sheet P is different from that of the eighth embodimentwhile other configurations are similar to those of the eighthembodiment. Thus, no further description is provided for the portionhaving the similar configuration.

As illustrated in FIG. 31 and FIG. 32, the supporting portion 60 of theeleventh embodiment has a plurality of ribs 70 disposed on the uppersurface 69 of the base 68. Each of the plurality of ribs 70 extends in adirection intersecting both the width direction X and the transportdirection Y of the sheet P (i.e., in an oblique direction). Theplurality of the ribs 70 are arranged side by side in the widthdirection X on the upper surface 69 of the base 68 in such a manner thatthe ribs 70 extend parallel to each other. Each rib 70 has a supportingsurface 61 for supporting the sheet of paper P and slopes 64 inclinedfrom the supporting surface 61 toward the upper surface 69 of the base68.

When the center line of the rib 70 is taken along the direction of theobliquely-extending rib 70, the slope 64 is provided on the side facingupstream and also on the side facing downstream in the transportdirection Y with respect to the center line. In other words, the slope64 is provided both on the upstream side and on the downstream side ofthe rib 70 in the transport direction Y. The slope 64 disposed on theupstream side of the rib 70 in the transport direction Y inclines upwardfrom the upstream side toward the downstream side while the slope 64disposed on the downstream side of the rib 70 inclines downward from theupstream side toward the downstream side.

According to the eleventh embodiment, the effects of (1), (2), (5), (9),and (10) can be obtained.

Note that each of the foregoing embodiments may be modified as below.Moreover, modifications as described below may be appropriatelycombined.

In the fourth embodiment, the position of each through-hole 63 may bechanged from the center to a position closer to the upstream side in thetransport direction Y, as illustrated in FIG. 33 and FIG. 34. Inaddition, in the fifth embodiment, the position of each through-hole 63may be similarly changed to a position slightly closer to the upstreamside in the transport direction Y, as illustrated in FIG. 35 and FIG.36.

According to these modifications, the following effect can be obtainedin addition to the effects of (1), (2), (5), and (7):

(11) Each slope 64, which inclines upward from the upstream side towardthe downstream side in the transport direction Y, can be formed at asmaller elevation angle, as compared to the configuration in which thethrough-hole 63 is provided at the center of the dumping portion 62.This can thus reduce the likelihood of the sheet P being caught by thedumping portion 62.

In each of the embodiments, the slope 64 may be configured to bedisposed only on the downstream side of the supporting surface 61.

In the second and third embodiments, the groove 65 may be provided inthe dumping portion 62.

In the sixth to eleventh embodiments, the through-hole 63 and the slit66 may be provided in part of the upper surface 69 of the base 68 or theslope 64 that is included in the dumping portion 62.

In each of the embodiments, the container 50 may be replaced with aconfiguration in which an ink absorbent material is provided in thedumping portion 62.

In each of the embodiments, the medium on which the recording apparatus11 records is not limited to a sheet of paper P. The medium may include,for example, materials such as cloth and plastic film.

In each of the embodiments, the recording apparatus 11 may be afluid-ejecting apparatus to record by discharging or ejecting a fluidrather than ink (fluid including liquid, a liquid-state material made bydispersing or mixing particles of a functioning material in liquid, or afluid-state material such as a gel). For example, the recordingapparatus 11 may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that records by ejectinga liquid-state material that contains, in the form of a dispersion ormelt, an electrode material, a coloring material (pixel material), etc.,to be used for manufacturing liquid crystal displays, ElectroLuminescence (EL) displays, surface light emission displays, etc.Moreover, the recording apparatus 11 may be a fluid-ejecting apparatusfor ejecting a fluid-state material such as a gel (for example, aphysical gel). The invention can be applied to any one of thesefluid-ejecting apparatuses. Note that the concept of “fluid” as usedherein does not include fluids consisting only of gas, but includes, forexample, liquids (including inorganic solvents, organic solvents,solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metallic melts), etc.),liquid-state materials, fluid-state materials, and the like.

What is claimed is:
 1. A recording apparatus comprising: a supportingportion that supports a medium transported; and a recording head that isfixedly disposed at a position opposing the supporting portion andrecords by using liquid on the medium supported by the supportingportion, wherein the recording head has a plurality of nozzle rows eachincluding a plurality of nozzles that eject the liquid, the plurality ofnozzle rows are arranged side by side in the recording head along awidth direction of the medium that intersects a transport direction ofthe medium, the supporting portion has a dumping portion including aposition opposite the nozzle rows of the recording head, the dumpingportion being capable of receiving the liquid ejected from the nozzlerows when the recording head performs flushing, and a supporting surfacecapable of supporting the medium at a position not opposite the nozzlerows of the recording head, and the dumping portion has a slope disposedin at least part of a region adjoining the supporting surface and theslope inclines relative to the supporting surface.
 2. The recordingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slope is disposed incontinuity with the supporting surface and inclined upward from thedumping portion toward the supporting surface.
 3. The recordingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the dumping portion has anopening disposed in the supporting surface, the supporting surface beinga plane surface, and the slope is provided at a position on a downstreamside in the dumping portion in the transport direction.
 4. The recordingapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the slope is further provided ata position on an upstream side in the dumping portion in the transportdirection.
 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a container for containing the liquid ejected from the nozzlerows when the recording head performs flushing, wherein the dumpingportion has a through-hole for allowing the liquid to pass throughtoward the container.
 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5,wherein the dumping portion has a groove for guiding the liquid ejectedonto the slope to the container.
 7. The recording apparatus according toclaim 6, wherein the groove is formed such that a width of the groovebecomes smaller from a slope side of the groove toward a container sideof the groove.
 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, whereinthe slope has a slit disposed at an upstream end of the slope in thetransport direction, and the slit opens more narrowly than thethrough-hole and is in communication with the container.
 9. Therecording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the recording headincludes a plurality of nozzle groups each having a plurality of thenozzle rows, and the dumping portion is disposed separately at aposition opposite each of the nozzle groups.
 10. The recording apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein the through-hole is provided in thedumping portion at a center thereof both in the transport direction andin the width direction.
 11. The recording apparatus according to claim9, wherein the through-hole is provided at a position closer to anupstream side in the dumping portion in the transport direction and at acenter of the dumping portion in the width direction.
 12. The recordingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least the slope has waterrepellency in the supporting portion.